Eblex has announced the date for this year’s Outlook Conference as Wednesday 2 May. The half-day event highlights economic and market information and forecasting for the pig, dairy and beef and lamb sectors, and is jointly hosted with Bpex and DairyCo.

The new EU strategy on animal welfare, announced yesterday (19 January) has met with mixed reviews from the meat and farming organisations. Although tentatively welcomed by some, many feel it does not go far enough to address the problems in enforcing existing animal welfare legislation and also maintaining competitiveness. 

The 2012 edition of the Oxford Farming Conference focused on issues of food security, sustainability and power. Speakers included Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, Secretary of State Caroline Spelman and Shadow Secretary of State Mary Creagh.

Defra is creating a network of rural and farming groups across the UK to help it better understand and promote the interests of rural communities and businesses, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced today at the Oxford Farming Conference.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has expressed concern over the future level of Scottish livestock, despite a report published this week showing that the decline in beef numbers seems to be showing some localised stabilisation. 

Defra has called on the farming and agri-food industry in England to present its views on the proposed EU reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as part of an informal consultation process.

The Prince of Wales has hosted a lunchtime reception at Clarence House with leading catering suppliers and restaurateurs in a bid to promote sales of Cambrian Mountains lamb across the foodservice sector.

Scotland’s top scientific advisor has been appointed as the EU’s first chief scientist, two years after the EU President pledged to create the role.

The NFU has welcomed the news that the EU is delaying a decision on its controversial plans to introduce stringent changes to feed regulations in organic poultry production from 1 January, and urged producers to carry on as normal.

Red Tractor welfare standards have come under fire from two animal welfare organisations in a new consumer guide to be published in the run-up to Christmas.

The Pig and Poultry Fair is set to return to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 15 and 16 May 2012.

Funding for UK food security has received a significant boost after the Chancellor of the Exchequer unveiled £80m for the development of further research facilities at the BBSRC’s Institute for Animal Health (IAH).

The government has said that it may consider extending the shooting season into February. The statement came in response to questions posed in Parliament by Democratic Unionist MP Jim Shannon.

A new £20m fund to boost profits for rural businesses and reduce their impact on the environment has been launched today by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

More than 650 meat hygiene inspectors have been balloted about industrial action over pensions on 30th November, and have voted in favour of striking.

Research undertaken by the University of Edinburgh has shown that it may be possible to manage bovine TB through the use of selective breeding, which could be implemented in UK farming in as little as two years. 

Animal nutritionist Paul Toplis has been awarded the prestigious David Black Award in recognition of his sustained contribution to the pig industry over a career which spans 40 years.

Two of the meat industry’s leading figures have been appointed as the first non-executive directors of the new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.

The volatility of the worldwide grain market may continue to push meat prices upwards, according to AHDB analysts.

Speaking at the HGCA grain market outlook conference, senior analyst Jack Watts said the worldwide production of grain in 2011 was struggling to keep pace with growing demand. With an anticipated 25mt global deficit for maize pushing reliance on to wheat for animal feed, the volatility of the grain market may well hit meat prices, particularly as meat consumption rises.

Northern Irish beef supplier Foyle Food Group has launched a major new rebrand of its entire operations, refreshing and simplifying its logo and branding to help it compete in an increasingly global marketplace. 

Independent online meat and grocery-box company Riverford Organic has won the independent food retailer category at the RSPCA Good Business Awards.

The NFU has welcomed Sainsbury’s commitment to double the amount of British food on its shelves by 2020.

Asda is hoping to reduce CO2 emissions by 186,000 tonnes with a new type of grass for its cattle and sheep. Developed in Britain, Aber High Sugar Grass (HSG) is meant to cut methane emissions by 20% per animal, as well as limit feed costs by providing better nutrition.

Industry leaders and associations have welcomed a report arguing that to achieve sustainable food consumption, British farmers and businesses need government support.

The paper, published by WWF and the Food Ethics Council (FEC), states that ensuring fair deals for farmers and consumers is essential to reach a more sustainable diet, and backs government reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Royal Deeside Larder Venison Festival is running from 25–30 October 2011.

Freedom Food is launching an ad campaign stressing its link with the RSPCA in an effort to stand out from other higher-welfare labels.

A Staffordshire abattoir has been strongly criticised by the local council after trees in woodland owned by the abattoir were felled without permission.

The Soil Association is launching a new roadmap which outlines its priorities for the coming decade.

The campaign against Midlands Pig Producers’ (MPP) plans for a new ‘super-pig farm’ in Derbyshire has stepped up a gear, with a new publicity drive being planned in the run-up to Christmas. 

MPs have called on Defra to back the findings of an independent farming regulation task force which aims to cut the EU red tape currently stifling UK farmers.

Meat industry representatives have refuted claims that meat production is unsustainable and facing imminent decline.

Over the past few weeks, The Guardian, The Independent and the Daily Mail have all run stories suggesting that we are facing a reduction in meat sales, citing a myriad of reasons including price inflation, climate change, health concerns and high-profile anti-meat campaigns.

Domestic and global market opportunities for beef and lamb will be the focus of this year's Eblex annual conference in November.

Micromac Filtration has successfully completed a major effluent treatment system design and installation project at Headland Foods, a supplier of frozen ready-meals based in north-east Lincolnshire.

Proseal has launched a hand-operated, fully portable tray-sealing machine for small-scale usage. The new T2 has been specially developed for trials and development work, smaller production runs or for use in butchers and delicatessens.